We have just moved to the US from Canada. Our story is typical - long credit history in Canada, trying to built one in the US. I am in the US on a work visa (H1B) and have a SSN. I did get a credit card through Wells Fargo after a Canadian credit check and based on cash in our US account.

My wife is here on a "dependent" visa (H7) and can not have a SSN. She can, however, get a IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Can this be used to apply for a credit card of her own? If so I hope to push the bank to issue a card under her name so that she can built up a credit history while we wait for permanent residency status.

Thanks for your help.

now from RST